The issue of water quality and pollution
has regrettably come into clear focus of late as a major issue
in the west of Ireland. It is now a matter of considerable public
importance that the purity of the once pristine waters of the
Great Western Lakes may be lost due to pollution, apathy and the
greed of a few. The superb angling, social and recreational resource
that these lakes have afforded for generations now stand threatened
as never before. It is a matter of concern far beyond the shores
of these lakes, not merely in the western counties but throughout
Ireland and up to the EU Commission level.
Alarming and extensive algal blooms, which starve vulnerable fish
populations of oxygen at critical times of the year, mainly in
summer, are now frequently observed on the Western Lakes and their
tributary rivers. In recent years algal blooms have spread throughout
Lough Carra, Lough Mask and Lough Corrib in a progressive and
highly destructive manner..

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